The 1821 Revolution was a pivotal moment in history for the Greek people. The country’s population, which had suffered under Ottoman rule for hundreds of years, and it was time to fight for independence.
In one of the most significant events in Greek history, a 9-year-long war was waged by revolutionaries, keen to overthrow Turkish rule and chart their modern, national course. Aided later by Russian, British, French, and European allies, the war of independence came to a successful conclusion on the 25th of March, which ethnic Greeks celebrate across the UK as the National Day of Greece.
2021 will be a particularly important year for Greek people across the globe - a poignant reminder of the struggles that have gone before, and a celebration of the nation’s fascinating history and countless achievements.
Celebrating Greek Independence Day
March 25th is a colourful, exciting day for at least 300,000 Greek residents in the UK, as well as millions across Europe and the world. Unsurprisingly for a culture that’s steeped in rich tradition, National Independence Day celebrations are full of exciting events such as flag parades, military marches, and more.
Schools celebrate by holding school flag parades, which are a great chance for children to dress up in traditional Hellenic costumes and carry Giant Greece Flags. Marking Greek National Independence Day in the UK can be fun and exciting for children with Greece Hand Waving Flags, bright blue and crisp white symbols of freedom.
In classrooms, desks are decorated with Greece Table Flags and pupils learn about the history of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, including historic figures such as Bouboulina, Kolokotronis, and commander Diakos.
Decorating Your Home
Independence Day is a fabulous opportunity to show off your national pride, or to join in the exciting festivities with a show of blue and white. Throughout the streets of Athens and across the Greek nation, Greece Bunting is typically found everywhere during March - so why not join in?
Stringing up Greek bunting across the front of your home, along your street, or inside your office can be a lovely way to introduce others to the culture, history, and tradition of Independence Day. With a Greece Flag outside in your front yard, or marking your party venue, your guests will know exactly where to go to hear the best music and stories!
There may not be a stylishly-clad Greek military parade in your local town, but celebrating like a Greek is easy to do. Here at The Flag Shop, and given the Greek penchant for celebrating with flags, we’re particularly fond of March 25th!
How To Party, Greek Style
No National Day of Independence celebration is complete without a sampling of the local food. In Greece, bakaliaros skordalia - or fried cod with garlic sauce - is the traditional snack of the day. Cooking with your family under the Giant Greece Flag, then eating together, is a beautifully symbolic way to recognise the important day. If you can, celebrate with your community and turn your town hall into a blaze of blue and white!
During the day, or at least according to us at The Flag Shop, one of the most interesting stories you might here is the evolution of the Greek Flag. The national flag is a highly symbolic icon of the revolution, with nine white and blue stripes believed to stand for the Greek letters spelling "freedom". The coat of arms, which is still used today, was also born in the rebellion with symbol of the rebellion, which was seen by some as a battle between Christians and Muslims.
As a result, the Greek flag bears a Christian cross in the top corner, to represent the cross that was the official symbol of the rebellion.
Of course, marking the National Day of Greece is a very large-scale event and one celebrated by nationals across the world and the UK. But for many, it also holds a personal significance, making it a great opportunity to customise your own Greek Flag. If you have a military motto that you’d like to share, a sports team you want to support, or a local community group to promote, why not get creative with photos, pictures, text, graphics, and more uploaded onto a template? Custom Greek Flags can be ordered small to carry as hand wavers to your school or military march, or they can be giant decorations to hang in your business, shop, or restaurant. A perfect opportunity to show others where you come from!
This March 21st, we know how we’ll be marking Greek Independence Day here at The Flag Shop. Whether it’s with a parade, or colourful centrepiece amid your bakaliaros skordalia, or decorating your local street, we hope you’ll join in!